How to Put Your Team in a Win-Win Situation

Dec 8, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints free safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) catches a pass during warmups prior to kickoff against the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

The Loose Ends

Cutting DeCoud leaves a hole in the free safety position.  I don’t want to over pay for Byrd, because I might want to draft a long-term starter in 2015.  Gonzalez is retiring, so I also need a tight end that can fill in a few areas.  I’ll sign Malcolm Jenkins to a one year deal for roughly $2 million.  He’s not a game changer, but he’ll fill in nicely and will most likely provide better coverage and run-stopping ability than DeCoud could.  I might want to make a play at Dennis Pitta, but he’ll likely be re-signed.  I could go the rout of Garrett Graham, or just resign Chase Coffman since I already know what he can do.  I’ll rely heavily on Levine Toilolo to be a red-zone threat and possibly sign another tight end in the draft.

But I feel like I’ve saved enough money and signed the right players.  With a few acquisitions in the draft, I can polish off the team and still have enough room to sign and draft a few depth players.  But why did I spend so much time making sure I filled almost every position?  Because I’m about to make a trade.  I’ve set up a scenario situation that would allow me to have a great offseason, regardless of how the first few minutes of the draft go.  Let me explain: